Knitted fabric



R. H. LAWSON KNITTED FABRIC Nov. 7, 1939.

Filed April 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l [NVENTOE fiflBERTHLAW FIG. 2.

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R. H. LAWSON 2,179,336

KNITTED FABRIC Filed April 24, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1939.

[/VYEA/"T R FBERTH LAWSflAZ iii!!! 3 Patented Nov. 7, 1939 PATENT -FFICE 2,179,336 I I KNITTED FABRIC Robert H. Lawson, Pawtucket, R. I., assignor to Hemphill Company, Central Falls, R. I., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 24, 1935, Serial No. 18,023

6 Claims.

This invention relates to knitted fabrics and methods of knitting and more particularly to the knitting of so-called split-work fabric.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of a stocking or half hose more or less diagrammatically illustrating split-work;

Fig. 2 is a view showing the outer face of a fabric and a few wales and courses thereof knitted with two yarns, each yarn being knitted into a portion of the fabric and the two portions of the fabric being connected by two so-called suture wales; and Figs. 3-8 are views similar to Fig. 2, but showing different forms of sutures.

The stocking or half hose hown in Fig. 1 is designated .by the numeral I, the top rib and/or welt portion of the stocking being shown at 2. The leg, of the stocking is shown at 3 while 4 indicates diagrammatically the suture line connecting the instep 5 to the high splice 6 and to the sole 1. The heel is indicated at 8, the point of the heel suture at 8' beingshown as spaced from the suture 4. The toe of the stocking is indicated at 9.

Referring to Fig. 2, successive courses constituting the instep portion 5 of the stocking are designated by. the numerals III, II, I2 and I3 whereas the courses companion thereto are indicated at I0, II, I2 and I3. The directions no of knitting of the courses In and Il constituting the instep portion 5 of the stocking are indicated by the numerals I4 and I5 respectively, whereas the numerals I6 and I1 respectively, indicate the directions of knitting of the courses I0, I I'. The

:35 courses l2 and I3 are duplicates of the courses I0 and II respectively and likewise the courses I2 and I3 are duplicates of the courses III and' I I'. For convenience of description a few needles are indicated at I8, I9, 20 and 2|, the needle I8 40 knitting the instep yarn 22 only and the needle 2I knitting the yarn 23 only, whereas the needles I9 and 20 are specially operated to knit both yarns.

In describing a complete cycle of operations -15 the knitting of the courses III, II, III and II' will be described in that order.

Although the fabric shown in Fig. 2 as well as the other fabrics shown in Figs. 3-8, can be knitted on various types of knitting machines, the

50 knitting is preferably effected on machines known as and similar to Banner knitting machines, said machines all having independent needles.

Assuming the needles I8, I9, 20 and 2| to be mounted in a rotary needle cylinder,. although 55 this is not essential, and the knitting to be proceeding in the direction of the arrow I4, the

needle I8 and preceding needles knit the yarn 22 and the following, suture needle I9 likewise knits the yarn 22, the said needles I8 and I9 drawing loops of yarn through previous course loops. On 5 that stroke of the needle cylinder, the needle 20 does not engage the yarn 22 but upon the needle cylinder reversing its dirction of movement to knit course II, the yarn 22 is wrapped around the shank of the needle 20 below its latch. The 10 needle I9, however, during the knitting of this course I I, is in a low position and does not engage the yarn 22 although the needle I8 and the following needles all knit the yarn 22 in the usual manner. Now as the needle cylinder continues 15 its movement as in a clockwise direction, the course I0 is knitted at the other and commonly called main side of the machine whereat the yarn 23 is fed to the needles. As the movement of the needle cylinder continues as aforesaid, 20 the needle 2! and preceding needles knit the yarn 23. The needle 20 engages the yarn 23 in its hook and draws a bight thereof through the previous course loop. On this stroke of the needle cylinder the needle I9 also knits the yarn 23. As 25 the direction of movement of the needle cylinder reverses, i. e., in an anti-clockwise direction, the course I I is knitted in the direction of the arrow II. In the knitting of this course the leading needle I9 is in an elevated position to permit the yarn 23 to be wrapped aroundthe shank and below the needle latch. Continued rotation of the needle cylinder causes the needles 20, 2I and following needles to knit the yarn 23 in the usual manner, thus completing a cycle. The knitting of the course I2 and following courses is accomplished in the manner just described in connection with the knitting of courses I0, II, I0, II.

In the fabric shown in Fig. 3, the same yarns 22 and 23 are shown, the courses knitted with the yarn 22 being designated by the numerals 25, 26,

27 and 28, whereas the courses knitted by the yarn 23 are designated by the numerals 25', 26, 2'1 and 28'. The directions of knitting of the courses 25, 26, 25, 26', are indicated respectively by the arrows 29, 30, 3| and 32. Needles are shown at 33, 34, 35, 35. The method of knitting the fabric shown in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that described with respect to the fabric shown in' Fig. 2 except that the needle 34 which corresponds to the needle I9, Fig. 2, is held in an elevated position during the knitting of the course 25 which corresponds to the course II, Fig. 2, so that the yarn 22 shall be wrapped around the needle shank (but not knitted) and subsequently held between two bights of the yarn 23 as shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4 courses 38, 31, 38, 39 correspond respectively to courses ll], ll, l2, l3 and likewise courses 38', 31, 38', 39' correspond to coursesill, ll, l2, l3, the arrows 43, ll, 42, 43 indicating the directions of knitting of the respective courses 38, 31, 38', 31', etc. The needles 44, 45, 46, 41 correspond to the needles l8, i9, 28, 2i, Fig. 2. In knitting the course 35 the needle 48 knits the yarn 22 in the usual manner and suture needle 45 likewise knits yarn 22 drawing a bight thereof through loops of the yarn 23 previously formed, The needle 46 does not knit the yarn 22 during the knitting of the course 38 but upon the needles reversing their direction of movement the needle 46 knits the yarn 22 drawing a bight thereof through a loop of the yarn 23. The needle 45, however, does not knit the yarn 22 during the knitting of course 31 but the needle 88 and fOHOWiIlg needles knit the yarn as usual. As the needles continue knitting and approach the yarn 23 in the knitting of the course 36', the needle 41 knits the yarn 23 and likewise the needles 48 and 45 draw bights of yarn through loops drawn during the knitting of the course 31. Upon the needles again reversing their direction and moving in an anti-clockwise direction, the leading needle 85 is held in an elevated position to permit the yarn 23 to be wrapped around the needle shank and below the latch, the needles 88, 41, etc., knitting the yarn 23. The courses 38, 39, 38, 39 are knitted in the same manner as courses 38, 31, 38', 31.

In the form of the fabric illustrated in Fig. 5, the yarn 22 is shown as being knitted into courses 48, 49, 58, 5i, etc., while the yarn 23 is shown as being knitted into corresponding courses,48', 48', 58', 5|, etc., the arrows 52, 53, 58, 55, indicating the direction of knitting of the courses 48, 48, 48', 49', etc. The needles 56, 51, 58, 59 knit in the following manner starting with the course 48 and assuming the needles to movewith respect to the yarns 22, 23. The needle 58 and preceding needles knit the yarn 22 and the suture needles 51, 58 likewise knit the yarn 22 and draw bights thereof through the loops of the previous course. Upon the needles reversing their direction of movement, as to move in a clockwise direction, the leading needle 58 is maintained in an elevated position to permit the yarn 22 to be wrapped around the shank thereof and below the latch if latch needles be used. The needle 51, however, does not engage the yarn 22 during this movement or stroke of the needles but the needle '56 and following needles knit the yarn 22 in the usual manner. Continued movement of the needles in the clockwise direction causes the needles 56, 51, 58, 59 to approach the yarn 23 to knit the course 48 during the knitting of which the needle 59 and preceding needles knit the yarn 23 in the usual manner and the suture needles 58, 51 also draw loops or bights of yarn 23 through the loops of the yarn 22. The needles then reverse their movement and move in a counter-clockwise direction and during this stroke or movement of the needles the course 49 is knitted, the leading needle 51 being maintained in an elevated position to'permit the yarn 23 to be wrapped around the shank and below the needle latch. The following needle 58 does not knit the yarn 23, but the needle 59 as well as the following needles knit the yarn 23 in the usual manner. The courses 50, 5 I, etc., and the courses 58, 5i are knitted in the same manner as courses 88, 38, 88, 89'.

In the form of the fabric shown in Fig. 6, the yarns 22 and 23 are knitted into courses 88, 8t, 82, 33, etc. and 69', 8|, 82', 63', etc., the arrows (i l, 65, 88, 61 indicating the direction of knitting of the respective courses 83, 8 G0, 8 l This form of suture shown in Fig. 6 being a single needle suture, three needles 68, 69, 10 only are desig nated. Assuming the cycle of operations to begin with the knitting of the course 88 and with the needles moving in an anti-clockwise direction, the needle 68 knits the yarn 22 in the usual manner and the needle 69 also draws a bight or loop of the yarn 22 through a previous course loop formed of the yarn 23. The needle 18 and the following needles do not knit the yarn 22. When the needles reverse their direction of movement and move in a clockwise direction (course 8|), the needle 69 knits the yarn 22 and draws a bight thereof through the loop drawn by the said needle during the knitting of the course 68. The needles 88 and following needles knit the yarn 22 in the usual manner. Continued movement of the needles causes the needles 18, 89, 68 to approach the yarn 23, the needles 18 and 89 knitting (course 89) the said yarn 23 in that order, the needle 88 and following needles not knitting the yarn 23. Upon the needles reversing their direction of movement and moving in an anti-clockwise direction (course 6|), the needle 89 which is the leading needle, is maintained in an elevated position to permit the yarn 23 to be wrapped around the shank of the needle and below the latch thereof, the needle l8 and following needles knitting the yarn 23 in the usual manner. The courses 82, 83, G2, 63 are knitted in the same manner as described with respect to the courses 58, El, 89', 8|.

The fabric shown in Fig. 7 comprises courses ll, 12, 13,18 and courses 1|, 12, 13, 14. The arrows 15, 18, 11, 18 indicate the directions of knitting of the courses 1 l, 12 and 1|, 12', etc. In this form of the fabric two suture needles are employed and consequently needles 19, 80, 8|, 82 are indicated. Beginning with the knitting of the course 1| and with the needles moving in a counter-clockwise direction, the needle 19 and preceding needles knit the yarn 12 as do the suture needles 83 and 8|. The needle 82 and following needles do not knit the yarn 22. Upon the needles reversing their direction of movement, the needles 8|, 88 and 19 again knit the yarn 12 in that order. Continued movement of the needles in the clockwise direction causes .the needles 82, 8|, 80, 19, to approach the yarn' 23 to knit the course 1|. In the knitting of this course the needle 82 and the preceding needles knit the yarn 23 and the suture needles 8|, 82 likewise knit the said yarn 83 drawing loops of the yarn 23 through loops of the yarn 22 drawn during the knitting of the course 12. The needle 19 does not knit the yarn 23. As the needles again reverse their direction of knitting and move in an anti-clockwise direction to knit the course 12' the needle is held in an elevated position to permit the yarn 23 to be wrapped around its shank and below the latch. During the knitting of this course the needle 8| does not engage the yarn 23 but the needle 82 and following needles knit the yarn 23 in the usual manner. The following courses are knitted in the same manner as described in connectionwith the courses 10,1|,1ll', 1|.

-In the form of the fabric illustrated in Fig. 8,

the yarns 22 and 23 are shown as knitted into courses 83, 84, 83', 84 respectively, the arrows 85, 86, 81, 88 indicating the directions of knitting of the said respective courses. The suture shown in Fig. 8 isa two-needle suture, four needles 89, 90, 9| and 92 are indicated. Assuming the cycle to begin with the knitting of the course 83 when the needles are moving in an anti-clockwise direction, the needle 89 and preceding needles knit the yarn 22 in the usual manner while the following needle 90 draws a bight of the yarn 22 through loops previously formed of the yarn 23. The needle 9| does not engage the yarn 22 while the needles are moving in the direction mentioned and the needle 92 does not knit the yarn 22 at any time. Upon the needles reversing their direction of movement and moving in a clockwise direction, the needle 9| engages the yarn 22 and draws a bight of the said yarn through a loop previously drawn of the yarn 23 and the following needles 90, 89, etc. knit the yarn 22 in the usual manner. As the needles continue their movement in the direction last mentioned, the needles 92, 9t, 90, 89 approach the yarn 23 during the knitting of the course 83'. During the knitting of this course the needle 92 and preceding needles knit the yarn 23 in the usual manner. The needle 96 draws a bight of the yarn 23 through the loop or bight of the yarn 22 drawn by the said needle 9| during the knitting of the course 84. The following needle 90 also draws a loop or bight of yarn through the loop drawn during the knitting of the course 84. The needle 89 does not knit the yarn 23. Upon the needles reversing their direction of movement and again moving in an anticlockwise direction, the leading needle 90 is maintained in such a position as topermit the wrapping of the yarn 23 around the shank of the needle 90 and below its latch. The following needles 9|, 92, etc. knit the yarn 23 in the usual manner. The following courses are knitting in the same manner as just described in connection with the knitting of the courses 83, 84, 83, 84'.

It will be understood that while the needles |8, I9, 20, 2|, etc., are knitting their respective wales other needles at the other side of the machine are being similarly actuated to knit a suture for the other side of the stocking or fabric.

In the foregoing description reference has been made to the raising of a leading suture needle to permit the yarn to be wrapped around the shank T thereof and below the needle latch; it is not essential that the suture be formed in that way, there being other ways of accomplishing the same purpose as by feeding the yarns to the hook of the said leading needle and thereafter causing the loop to drop below the needle latch.

In the foregoing description reference has been made to needle latches, and to directions of movement of the needles, etc. Specific terms have been used for descriptive purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention to the precise details of construction recited or to limit the invention to use on any particular type or construction of knitting machine.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that in the various forms of the invention hereinbefore described, the suture is composed of one or two wales in at least one of which two yarns are alternately knitted, that is, one or two loops of one yarn alternate with one or two loops of the other yarn, the knitting of the suture being, preferably, eifected with independently movable needles such as are used in Banner and similar types of knitting machines.

Wherever in the claims reference is made to alternate and intermediate or intervening, it will be understood that by such limitations there is no intention of limiting alternate to the first, third, or fifth course or stitch or in limiting intermediate or intervening to the second, fourth, or sixth courses or stitches, it being the intention to cover as well the alternating arrangement shown, by way of example, in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8.

I claim:

1. A split-work fabric, a suture whereof is composed throughout of two wales only in at least one of which two yarns are alternately knitted and in the other of which both yarns are incorporated, one said yarn being knitted in two consecutive courses at a suture wale.

2. A split-work fabric, a suture whereof is composed of at least two wales in at least one of which two yarns are alternately knitted and in the second mentioned wale of which at least one yarn is knitted in every course.

3. A split-work fabric, the suture whereof is composed of at least two wales and two yarns,

one of the yarns floating across at least one of the wales, one only of the said wales consisting of loops alternately knitted of the two yarns.

4. A split-work fabric, a suture whereof is knitted of two yarns and is composed of at least two wales, one of the suture wales comprising alternating knitted loops of the two yarns some of the stitches throughout one of the said two wales including loops of both yarns.

5. A split-work fabric, a suture whereof is composed of two wales only and being alternately knitted with two threads, one of the said threads being knitted in two consecutive courses at a suture wale.

6. A split-work fabric, a suture whereof is composed of two wales only and being alternately knitted with two threads, one of the said threads being knitted in two consecutive courses at a suture wale, the other of the said threads being knitted in single courses only at a suture wale.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. 

